Press & News

By NDI Alum Sam Brill "Research has consistently shown that arts programs help young people build the skills they need to thrive. Participation in disciplines like dance, music and theater engages students in team-based work that culminates in shared achievement, like a performance. Experiences like these foster both a strong sense of self and a vital sense of belonging."

Able News (Mar 2, 2026) Jerron Herman is a celebrated artist, choreographer, and director who has choreographed, written, and performed numerous works that center images of freedom and disabled perspectives, bringing his own lived experience as a dancer with cerebral palsy into prominent artistic spaces. By Emily Sauchelli

For parents of children with special needs, it can be difficult to find inclusive extracurricular activities. CBS News New York's Noëlle Lilley attended the National Dance Institute's Dream Camp, where music unites people of all abilities.

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the National Dance Institute (NDI) hosted a milestone event featuring New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck and retired American Ballet Theatre icon Misty Copeland. The program highlighted the vital role of arts education in fostering leadership and community within public schools, where NDI currently serves over 6,500 children annually. Through student performances and dialogue with these trailblazing artists, the event emphasized how exposure to artistic excellence inspires young dancers to recognize their own potential and envision new possibilities for their lives.

Misty Copeland and Tiler Peck joined students and professional performers to celebrate 50 years of the National Dance Institute (NDI). The benefit, Jacques’ Art Nest, paid tribute to the organization’s legacy while spotlighting the next generation of dancers nurtured through its free programs.

Since 1976, the National Dance Institute has provided dance education for thousands of students. One program is specifically tailored to children with disabilities. Mr. G visited the studios in Harlem for this week’s Dream Project, where students were rehearsing for a special performance.